Grow Your Own Plants

Grow Your Own Plants: from Seeds, Cuttings, Division, Layering, and Grafting is written by Jack Kramer, and illustrated by Michael Valdez. It was published by Charles Scribners’s Sons (New York, 1973). Jack Kramer is an American garden and plant expert who has written over a 100 books, and wrote a syndicated column for the Los Angeles Times for eight years. His books and articles cover a wide range of gardening and landscaping subjects. Other titles include Easy Care Guide to Houseplants, Cacti and Other Succulents, and The Complete Book of Patio Gardening.

The first chapter introduces the domain of sexual and asexual plant propagation, with a summary of key methods. Chapters two through four provide information about sowing seeds indoors and outdoors, and how to create the right environment of heat and light to start seeds. Chapters five and six are devoted to asexual propagation – different types of cuttings, layering, grafting, and others (division, runners, bulbs, and so forth). Chapter seven provides lists of trees and shrubs, perennials, annuals, and bulbs that are ideal candidates for asexual propagation. Chapters eight and nine cover house plant, vegetable, and herb propagation. Chapter ten describes hybridization, and gives a high-level summary of genes and genetics. The back matter includes a glossary, bibliography, and source of supplies (most of which are still current)!

I received my copy of Grow Your Own Plants in a box of gardening books from friend and fellow gardener, Charles (Chuck) Konigsberg (see Sunset Magazine Contributions to Western Gardening). It grabbed my attention, since one of my goals this year is to learn about plant propagation. I have been referring to the book to propagate plants, especially from cuttings. Even though the book is over 40 years old, it still stands up. The book is current, easy to understand, and full of practical information. The book reminds me of the “back to the land” movement of the 1970’s, and I love the line drawings by Michael Valdez. I recommend this book for your collection if you are interested in plant propagation.